Detained youth's family seeks protection at HRC Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 April 2007, 02:10 GMT]Parents and two younger brothers of a youth detained at Kankesanthurai Special Police detention camp sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna Tuesday. The HRC, however, took steps to place only the 16 year old brother in the protective custody of Jaffna prison. Parents and the other brother of the detained youth had to return home in Kachai, where the youth was arrested by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers Friday.

The 16 year old son, to be placed in protective custody, is a G.C.E Ordinary level student.

The youth arrested Friday is Suntharampillai Ravikumar, 28. He was first handed over to Kodikamam police who in turn handed him over to Kankesanthurai Special Police detention camp, family members said in their statement to the HRC Jaffna.

Ravikumar's parents, farmers by profession, were subjected to continuous intimidation and death threats at their home by the SLA troopers following the arrest of their son. They, along with their other two sons, sought protection with the HRC Jaffna for fear of death.

Meanwhile, another parent of two children, also a resident of Pokadi, sought protection Tuesday with Jaffna HRC fearing for his life at the hands of the SLA.

This family man, a native of Batticaloa, has been living in Pokady where he married.

The SLA base located in this area in Thenmaradchy has been under continuous artillery and rocket fire, and the SLA, enraged by the attacks are penalising the people in the area, conducting cordon off and searches as well as issuing death threats, residents in Kachai said.

The SLA suspects the presence of persons who are involved in the attacks in this area.

Vijayaroopan, alleged to have been abducted by SLA Intelligence Unit and released Monday after three days in a tortured state, is also from this area in Thenmaradchy, the residents added.

Many families from this area, unable to face the harassment and danger to their lives, especially during night, had opted to seek refuge elsewhere with relatives or friends, representatives of Non-government organizations who had visited the area said.

The HRC Jaffna has brought this matter to the notice of the SLA high command in Jaffna.